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Winter Wildlife in Mid Wales

Winter is a good season for wildlife in Mid Wales. Red kites gather in hundreds to feed, starlings swirl in their thousands over Aberystwyth at dusk, and birds from further north arrive on the estuaries and bogs. Across Powys, Ceredigion and Southern Eryri (Southern Snowdonia), bare trees and quiet paths make animals easier to spot.

Red kites at Gigrin Farm, Powys

Where can I see red kites in winter? Gigrin Farm, half a mile from Rhayader, feeds them every day of the year, at 2pm from the end of October to the end of March. Around 500 kites come in during the colder months, along with buzzards and ravens, and you watch from hides. It's one of the best wildlife spectacles in Britain in winter.

Starling murmurations in Aberystwyth

On winter evenings, thousands of starlings gather over the seafront in Aberystwyth before dropping down to roost under the pier. Stand on the promenade about half an hour before sunset on a calm evening to watch them twist and turn over the sea. It's free, and one of the easiest wildlife sights in Wales to reach.

Winter birds on estuaries and bogs

RSPB Ynys-hir on the Dyfi estuary near Machynlleth has hides looking over saltmarsh and wetland where ducks, geese and waders spend the winter. Cors Caron near Tregaron in Ceredigion is a huge raised bog with a boardwalk, where birds of prey hunt over the reeds on winter afternoons. In Southern Eryri, the Mawddach estuary is good for waders and herons from the Mawddach Trail. See RSPB sites and reserves.

Grey seals

Grey seal pups are born on the Ceredigion coast in autumn, and some are still on the beaches into early winter. Watch from the clifftop path and keep dogs on a lead.

Lakes and reservoirs

Lake Vyrnwy in north Powys and the Elan Valley reservoirs attract ducks and other waterbirds in winter, with woodland birds in the trees around them. Both have paths along the shore.

Good to know

Bring binoculars, warm layers and a flask. Wildlife is most active early and late in the day, which in winter means short, cold outings, so wrap up well and check sunset times. For more, see wildlife and nature in Mid Wales and autumn wildlife.

What is the best time of day to see wildlife in winter?

Early morning and the last hour before dark. Red kite feeding at Gigrin Farm is at 2pm, and starlings gather over Aberystwyth around sunset.

For somewhere warm to come back to, see cosy Christmas cottages.

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More winter ideas

Inspiration

Christmas with Dogs in Mid Wales

Winter beaches with room to run, pubs that welcome muddy paws and a cottage fire to dry off by. Christmas with the dog is easy in Mid Wales.
Twixmas Breaks in Mid Wales

Leftovers eaten, presents opened, everyone going stir crazy. A few days in Mid Wales between Christmas and New Year is the reset you need.
Christmas in Mid Wales

Santa steam trains, candlelit country houses, market town shopping and a cottage with the fire lit. Christmas in Mid Wales is festive without the crowds.
Cosy Christmas Cottages in Mid Wales

A wood burner, a tree in the corner and a walk from the door. Christmas cottages in Mid Wales sell out early, so it pays to book ahead.
Dark Skies and Stargazing in Mid Wales

Some of the darkest skies in Britain, with the Milky Way overhead on a clear night. Here is where to go, what to look for and when.
Winter Walks in Mid Wales

Frost on Cadair Idris, low sun on the Elan Valley reservoirs and a sheltered forest trail when the wind blows. Winter walking in Mid Wales, with a fire at the end.

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Dyfi Valley & Coast

Address

Mid Wales, Machynlleth, Powys, SY20 8SR

Machynlleth

The Dyfi Valley opens wide as it approaches Cardigan Bay Coast and ends in sandy beaches and dunes. It cradles the westerly spur of Powys, Ceredigion north of Aberystwyth, and the southern rim of Snowdonia National Park.
Burfa Bog Nature Reserve

Address

Presteigne, Powys, LD8 2SH

Telephone
01597 823298

info@rwtwales.org

Powys

A low-lying reserve with Knobley brook running through the wet grassland. Butterflies and flowers are abundant in the spring and summer months.
Llyn Coed y Dinas Nature Reserve

Address

Welshpool, Powys, SY21 8RP

Telephone
01938 555654

info@montwt.co.uk

Welshpool

Created from a gravel pit, quarried to provide material for the creation of the Welshpool bypass, Llyn Coed y Dinas is a fantastic home for all sorts of wildlife.
Bailey Einon Nature Reserve

Address

Llandrindod Wells, Powys, LD1 5PD

Telephone
01597 823298

info@rwtwales.org

Powys

A broadleaved woodland that sits alongside the River Ithon. Teeming with birds and flowers, this is a small nature reserve with a lot of wildlife.
Dolydd Hafren Nature Reserve

Address

Forden, Powys, SY21 8NN

Telephone
01938 555654

info@montwt.co.uk

Powys

The River Severn loops lazily across its valley floor, its loops and bends creating oxbow lakes which are now good wetland habitat for waterfowl.
Abercorris Nature Reserve

Address

Nr Corris, Gwynedd, SY20 9SP

Telephone
01248 351541

info@northwaleswildlifetrust.org.uk

Nr Corris

Abercorris Nature Reserve in southern Snowdonia is a three acre site of remnant broadleaved woodland on the steep east bank of Afon Deri combining the woodland habitat with that of the mountain stream below.
Coed y Brenin Forest Park (NRW)

Address

Coed y Brenin Forest Park, Ganllwyd, Dolgellau, Gwynedd, LL402HN

Telephone
01341 440747

coedybrenin@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk

Dolgellau

Coed y Brenin Forest Park is set in Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park near Dolgellau and forms part of the National Forest for Wales. There are many walking trails from various car parks within the Coed y Brenin forest park where you can see…
Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) Visitor Centre

Address

National Park Visitor Centre, Libanus, Brecon, Powys, LD3 8ER

Telephone
01874 623366

enquiries@beacons-npa.gov.uk

Brecon

The Bannau Brycheiniog Visitor Centre provides information and interpretation for visitors to the area. There is a cafe on site, picnic area and craft and gift shop. The centre is one of the best places in the National Park to experience Dark Skies.
Roundton Hill Nature Reserve

Address

Old Churchstoke, Churchstoke, Powys, SY15 6EL

Telephone
01938 555654

info@montwt.co.uk

Churchstoke

From the top of Roundton Hill it's easy to see why an Iron Age hillfort was once sited here - the vantage point offers great viewing across the surrounding countryside.
Cwm Byddog Nature Reserve

Address

Clyro, Hay-On-Wye, HR3 5SL

Telephone
01597 823298

info@rwtwales.org

Hay-On-Wye

Ancient trees of this age are one of the rarest habitats in Europe and the UK has a large proportion. They support a range of rare and declining species of epiphytes.
RSPB Gwenffrwd-Dinas Nature Reserve

Address

Ystradffin, Llandovery, Carmarthenshire, SA20 0PG

Telephone
02920 353000

gwenffrwd.dinas@rspb.org.uk

Llandovery

This delightful reserve is set in the heart of Mid Wales near Ystradffin, Rhandirmwyn. Dinas is a pleasant circular walk, part of the circuit is steep with difficult terrain. Strong footwear is advised.
Llanymynech Rocks Nature Reserve

Address

Underhill Lane, Pant, SY22 6HD

Telephone
01938 555654

info@montwt.co.uk

Pant

Straddling the border between England and Wales, the reserve lies at the southern end of the carboniferous limestone outcrop that stretches from Anglesey and the Great Orme at Llandudno.
Glaslyn Nature Reserve

Address

Aberhosan, Powys, SY20 8RE

Telephone
01938 555654

Powys

Glaslyn is Montgomeryshire Wildlife Trust’s biggest nature reserve, an integral part of the Cambrian Mountains.
Mawddach Estuary

Address

Dolgellau - Barmouth, Southern Snowdonia, LL40 2TA

Telephone
01766 770274

Dolgellau - Barmouth

The vast and sandy Mawddach estuary is one of Snowdonia National Park’s most remarkable areas. The area is designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest and a Special Area of Conservation due to its salt marsh and lowland peat habitats.